Summer is officially here — and so is that famous Midwestern heat. If you’ve stepped outside in Kansas City lately, you’ve probably felt it: scorching sun, sweltering afternoons, and heat indexes well into the triple digits. The kind of heat that makes you crank the A/C and wonder how anything manages to function outside.
Recently, a stretch of road in southeast Missouri buckled under the pressure of extreme heat — and it’s not an isolated incident. This KCUR article highlights how rising summer temperatures are starting to damage infrastructure across the country. And it might have you wondering: if roads can crack in the heat, how do solar panels hold up?
Let’s take a closer look at how solar panels perform during extreme heat and what it means for your home’s energy efficiency in the dog days of summer.
How Solar Panels React to High Temperatures
Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity using photovoltaic (PV) cells. These cells are designed to absorb light, not heat. That means while more sunlight generally means more electricity, more heat does not. In fact, high temperatures can slightly reduce a solar panel’s efficiency.
Most solar panels are tested at 77°F (25°C), and for every degree above that, their efficiency typically drops by about 0.3% to 0.5%. So, on a 95°F summer day in Kansas City, panels could be operating at about 90–95% of their rated efficiency — a small dip, but not a disaster.
It’s also worth noting that solar panels are dark-colored and installed on rooftops or racks, so they naturally get even hotter than the ambient air. A 95°F day might heat the surface of your panels to over 140°F. While this does reduce output slightly, modern solar systems are designed to perform well even under these extreme conditions.
Solar Panels Still Perform Well in the Midwest Heat
Even with the slight dip in efficiency, solar panels are still an excellent investment in hot climates. Why? Because summer is when solar panels tend to generate the most electricity overall. Days are longer, skies are clearer, and the sun is higher in the sky — all of which mean more total energy production, even if each panel is operating at slightly reduced efficiency.
Plus, homes in Missouri and Kansas typically use more energy in the summer due to air conditioning. This makes summer solar output especially valuable. With a properly sized system, many homeowners can offset a significant portion of their cooling-related electricity usage, even in extreme heat.
What Makes Some Solar Panels Better in the Heat?
Not all solar panels are created equal. Some are built to perform better in high temperatures than others. This performance is measured by a panel’s temperature coefficient — the rate at which performance declines as the temperature rises.
For example, a panel with a -0.30%/°C temperature coefficient will perform better in the heat than one with a -0.50%/°C coefficient. And another factor is panel material. Monocrystalline panels tend to handle high temperatures better than polycrystalline panels, thanks to their higher efficiency and improved performance under heat stress.
Can Extreme Heat Damage Solar Panels?
Solar panels are incredibly durable. They’re built to withstand decades of outdoor exposure, including blazing heat, freezing cold, hail, wind, and rain. While high temperatures can impact efficiency slightly, they don’t typically damage the panels themselves.
Still, proper installation matters. Panels need adequate airflow beneath them to dissipate heat. At KC Solar, our team ensures every system is installed with thermal performance in mind, using racking systems that allow heat to escape and panels to stay cooler.
In extreme environments like rooftops with poor ventilation or metal buildings with no shade, additional planning may be needed. Our team evaluates every site to recommend the best solution for long-term performance.
Real-World Impact: Efficiency Loss vs. Energy Savings
Here’s the bottom line: The efficiency loss from heat is relatively small compared to the energy gains you’ll see from going solar. In fact, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) estimates that most homeowners in Missouri and Kansas can expect to produce more than 1,200 kilowatt-hours per year per kilowatt of installed capacity — even accounting for seasonal weather and temperature swings.
Over the life of a 25- to 30-year system, those savings add up. And thanks to federal incentives like the 30% solar tax credit, as well as local net metering programs, you can see a return on your investment much sooner — even in the middle of a Midwest heatwave. (Though you need to act fast, as financial incentives are likely to be ending soon.)
KC Solar Helps You Maximize Performance Year-Round
At KC Solar, we understand how important year-round performance is — and we know how to design solar systems that deliver. Whether it’s choosing the best panels for high-heat conditions, optimizing your roof layout for airflow, or planning your installation to maximize efficiency, we’re here to help you get the most out of every ray of sun.
Our team also monitors your system’s performance after installation, providing insights on how your panels are working and how your energy use aligns with the weather.
If you’re worried about whether solar is a good fit for the Midwest heat, the answer is a resounding yes — especially when you work with an experienced local team. KC Solar is a local company made up of KC natives with KC pride — in our city, and in our work. Which means we’ll always give you the best of ourselves.
And be sure to download our Free Solar Panel Buying Guide for more information.
